The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, has apologised for the "frustration and confusion" caused by a scandal over state spending on his private home.
But he denied acting dishonestly, saying he never "knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution".
South Africa’s top court ruled this week that he had failed to uphold the constitution by ignoring recommendations to pay back some of the £11m spent on renovations to his residence at Nkandla.
But in a TV address on Friday evening, Mr Zuma said he had acted "in good faith".
"Any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the constitution happened because of a different approach and different legal advice," he said.
A report in 2014 said he had "benefited unduly" and identified several upgrades that could not be linked to extra security.
They included a swimming pool, cattle enclosure, chicken run, amphitheatre and visitor centre.
Two investigations ordered by the president in the wake of the report cleared his name - including one which decided the pool was a fire-fighting measure.
Mr Zuma said he would abide by the constitutional court ruling that he should pay some of the money back.
The South African treasury has been asked to calculate the costs of the upgrades unrelated to security within 60 days.
He must then repay that amount within 45 days.
Opposition parties have been calling for the 73-year-old leader to resign.
"The president is misleading South Africa. He said repeatedly he always wanted to pay: He never wanted to pay," said Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane.
The opposition has also launched impeachment proceedings against Mr Zuma.
They are unlikely to be successful, though, because impeachment requires a two-thirds majority, while Mr Zuma’s party, the ANC, has a healthy majority.
The ANC has already defeated a no-confidence motion against Mr Zuma this year.
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